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The Nelson City Council gave preliminary approval to the "Family Protection Act," reported WSBTV.com.

The ordinance would require the head of every household to "to maintain a firearm, together with ammunition," the station reported.

Councilman Duane Cronic told WSB that he hoped the law will make criminals think twice about entering the town.

The station reported that only one police officer patrols Nelson, which is about 50 miles north of Atlanta, and for just eight hours a day, leaving the town to rely on county sheriffs for about 16 hours overnight.

The Nelson ordinance is modeled after a 1982 law passed in nearby Kennesaw. That city's ordinance requires gun ownership, but residents are exempt if they're mentally or physically unable to handle a firearm, and felons or conscientious objectors may also opt out.

City council member Edith Portillo admitted to WXIA that the law probably wouldn't be enforced if it's passed. Portillo said the ordinance was intended as a symbolic message to Washington lawmakers who want to restrict gun ownership.

The ordinance could be passed as soon as April 1, which is the next City Council meeting.